MY GILLET/GILLETT/GILLETTE/GILLIT/GYLETT/GYLETTE/JILLET LINE

IN ENGLAND, NEW ENGLAND & NEW JERSEY

 

1.                                                                                  Jacques de Gylette =  Jeanne Mestre ?

    _________|

                                                         |

2.                                           Richard Gylett = Joan Enberg

                                                            ______|

                                                           |

3.                                           Rev. William Gyllett = Habiathia Pye

    __________|

                                                               |

4.                                           Jonathan Gillett = Mary Dolbere

                                                               ________|

                                                              |

5.                                        Joseph Gillett = Elizabeth Hawks

     ____|

                                                                |

6.                                        Nathaniel Gillet = Sarah Colver

      ______|

                                                                  |

7.                                            Elijah Gillet = Jane [-?-]

_______|

                                                            |

8.                                       Sarah Gillet = William Throckmorton

 

 

 

 

1.      JACQUES de GYLETTE

 

Several articles have been written proposing that Jacques de Gylette was the progenitor of this Gillet line.[1]  Jacques was born 1520 in Bergerac, Guyenne Province, France (Fig. 1),[2] probably died in England.  He was a French Huguenot.  I can’t bring myself to accept any of these theories as presently documented but that’s not to say that Jacques was not the father of Richard Gylette (see ¶2. below) or of Rev. William Gyllett (see ¶3. below).  Others disagree.[3]

 

2.      RICHARD GYLETT

 

Richard Gylett born 1551(?) in Caudle Haddon, Dorset, England, married (1) JOAN ENBERG 11 Aug. 1567[4] in Burton Parish, Dorset, married (2) ALICE [-?-], died in July 1600, buried in the churchyard at Caudle Haddon.  Joan was born ca. 1550 in Chaffcombe, Somerset.

 

Richard Gillett of Caudle Haddon, Dorset, husbandman, wrote his will 1 July 1600.  It was probated 16 July 1600 (PCC 55 Wallopp).  He bequeathed 2 shillings to the poor of Caudle; to son William, £10; to son Edward at end of his apprenticeship, £5; to daughter Mary at marriage, £10; to children of son Richard, 10 shillings parted between them; to son-in-law William Sheppard one brass pan, and to the latter’s son William 2/6; residue to wife Alice and son John equally, they to be executors.[5]

 

Richard’s children were:

 

                     i.            WILLIAM GILETT (see ¶3. below).

 

                   ii.            RICHARD GILLETT born 1576.  By 1600 he had 2 children.  In 1641 he was named one of four overseers of his brother William’s will (see ¶3. below).

 

                  iii.            EDWARD GILLETT living in 1600.

 

                 iv.            MARY GILLETT living in 1600.

 

                   v.            JOHN GILLETT living in 1600.

 

                 vi.            [-?-] GILLETT married WILLIAM SHEPPARD before 1600.

 

3.      Rev. WILLIAM GYLLETT

 

Rev. William Gyllett born ca. 1574 in Chaffcombe, Somerset, England, christened 25 Jan. 1579 in N. Petherton, Somerset,[6] married HABIATHIA PYE 18 Sept. 1609 in Donytt, Somerset, died 2/4 Apr. 1641 in Chaffcombe, buried 16 Apr. 1641 in Chaffcombe.  Habiathia, born ca. 1578 in Chaffcombe, died 14 May 1681 in Chaffcombe.

 

William was confirmed Rector of the Chaffcombe Parish on 4 Feb. 1609/10.  Chaffcombe lies 5 miles west of Crewkerne (Fig. 2)[7].  William Gyllett signed the extant Bishops’ Transcripts of the Chaffcombe Parish Registers as Rector of Chaffcombe in 1623 and 1638.[8]

 

William wrote his will in 1641.  It was proved 16 Apr. 1641.  The 2 Apr. 1641 inventory showed the estate to be worth £259/14/8, which included £13/6/8 for silver plate and an equal sum for books.  In his will William referred to land which his son Nathan had made over to him by letter of attorney (see ¶iv. below).  To all his children in England he gave two silver spoones apiece.  Beneficiaries were his children William, Thomas, Jeremiah, Habiah and Mary.  Overseers were Joseph Greenfield, Mr. Luffe, brother Richard (see ¶2.ii. above) and kinsman Henry Hutchins.[9]

 

The children of William & Habiathia were:[10]

 

                     i.            JONATHAN GILLETT (see ¶4. below).

 

                   ii.            HABIAH (ABIAH) GYLLETT born ca. 1602(?) in England, living in England in 1641.

 

                  iii.            MARY GYLETT born ca. 1604(?) in England, living in England in 1641.

 

                 iv.            NATHAN GILLET born ca. 1608(?) probably in Chaffcombe, Somerset, married by 1639 (name of wife unknown), died 15 Sept. 1689 in Windsor, CT.  His wife was born ca. 1617, died 21 Feb. 1670/1 in Windsor.[11]

 

The first record of Nathan in America is his admission to the Massachusetts Bay Colony 14 May 1634 which implies arrival by 1633 and admission to the Dorchester, MA, Church.  Did he emigrate with his brother Jonathan (see ¶4. below)?  In Dorchester he held a grant of meadows beyond Neponset and lot #33, four acres.[12]   By 1635 he removed to Windsor, CT.  In 1637 he served in the Pequot War, for which service he received 12 Oct. 1671 a grant of 50 acres.  Sometime before his father’s death in 1641 Nathaniel by power of attorney conveyed some land in England to his father.

 

In the Windsor, CT, land inventory of Jan. 1640 Nathan Gillett held 5 parcels of land (Fig. 3):

-         a homestead of 5 acres granted in 1637 (sold to his brother Jonathan and then to his nephew Jeremiah)(see ¶4. & 4.ix. below)

-         3½ acres in the Little Neck (sold to Mr. Warham)

-         20 acres more or less in meadow & upland adjoining in the second meadow (sold to Robart Hayward)

-         3 acres more or less in Long Meadow & adjoining to it 2 acres (sold to J. Enows).

 

On 11 Oct. 1669 Nathan Gillet was listed as a freeman of Windsor.

 

Following the death of his wife, Nathan bought land in the new settlement of Simsbury, CT.  On 9 Mar. 1679/80 the committee appointed by the General Court “for settling of y^e plantation of Simsbury” determined that proprietor Nathan Gillit’s land should be on the “eastside.”[13] 

 

In March 1687 Nathan conveyed lands to his eldest son Elias, his son Nathan, Jr., and to his son-in-law Thomas Wapples.  He also made separate deeds to his 3 daughters.

 

Nathan’s children were all born in Windsor, CT:

 

a.       ELIZABETH GILLETT born 6 Oct. 1639, married NICHOLAS GOZZARD ca. 1671 in Salisbury, died after 10 Nov. 1697.  Nicholas died intestate 3 Aug. 1692 at Simsbury.  He was a son of Daniel Gozzard of Hartford.

 

On 18 Apr. 1688 Elizabeth’s father deeded to Nicholas Gozard of Simsbury 14 acres of meadow but Nicholas died before signing the deed.  Elyas Gillet (see ¶vi. below) honored the deed to Nicholas 26 May 1692 (Simsbury Deed 1½:96-97).  Administration of Nicholas’ estate was granted to widow Elizabeth.  The inventory amounted to £206/10/-.  The heirs were widow Elizabeth, son NATHANIEL GOZZARD (age 16), son JOHN GOZZARD (age 11) and daughter ELIZABETH GOZZARD (age 21).  On 10 Nov. 1697 widow Elizabeth signed as Elizabeth Gozzard, Sr., the covenant on the occasion of the ordination of the Rev. Dudley Woodbridge as pastor at Simsbury.

 

b.      ABIAH GILLETT born 22 Aug. 1641, married (1) ISAIAH BARTLETT 3 Dec. 1663 in Windsor, married (2) JOHN SLATER 15 July 1669 in Windsor, died 21 Nov. 1716 in Simsbury.  Isaiah was born 13 June 1641 in Windsor, died 13 July 1665.  He was the eldest son of John Bartlett.  John Slater died 13 May 1713 at Simsbury.  John Slater signed his will 15 Aug. 1712 with his mark.  It was probated 6 July 1713 naming his wife Abiah, sons JOHN SLATER, SAMUEL SLATER, ELIAS SLATER and daughter ELIZABETH SLATER.  The inventory taken 13 May 1713 came to £128/15/-.

 

c.       [-?-] GILLETT (probably a son) died 1646 in Windsor.

 

d.      REBECCA GILLETT born 14 June 1646, died 13 July 1655 in Windsor.

 

e.       ELIAS GILLETT baptized 1 July 1649 in Windsor, married (1) SARAH GRIFFIN 29 Oct. 1676 in Simsbury, married (2) REBECCA (KELSEY) MESSENGER 1694 – 1699, died 15 Feb. 1731/2 in Windsor.  Sarah born 25 Dec. 1654 (10 Feb. 1654/5?) in Windsor, died between 1 Feb. 1685/6 & 2 June 1700.  She was a daughter of John & Hannah (Bancroft) Griffin.  Rebecca Kelsey was born 2 Jan. 1659/60 in Windsor, a daughter of Mark & Rebecca (Hoskins) Kelsey and a widow of Nathaniel Messenger.  The inventory of Elias Gillett’s estate amounted to only £18/5/-.

 

f.        SARAH GILLETT born 13 (15?) July 1651, baptized 18 July 1651, married ELEAZER HILL 29 Dec. 1679 in Simsbury.  Eleazer died 3 Mar. 1724/5 at Windsor.  On 19 Apr. 1688 Sarah’s father deeded to Eliezr Hill of Simsbury, “husband to my daughter Sarah,” a parcel of land, part upland, part meadow in Simsbury on the east side of the river.

 

g.       BENJAMIN GILLETT born 29 Aug. 1653, died 13 July 1655 in Windsor (the same day as the above Rebecca).

 

h.       NATHAN GILLETT born 17 Apr. (Aug.?) 1655, married REBECCA OWEN 30 June 1692 in Windsor, died 30 Jan. 1757/8 (1751/2?) in Windsor.  Rebecca was born 28 Mar. 1666 in Windsor, died before 1702-3.  She was a daughter of John & Rebecca (Wade) Owen.  Nathan had a Simsbury grant on 25 Jan. 1691/2 but it was revoked 18 Dec. 1695.  In 1696 Nathan sold the land his father had conveyed to him in Mar. 1687/8.  Nathan was a tailor.  He stated that he was formerly of Windsor, late of St. Thomas in East on the Island of Jamaica, West Indies, now of Lebanon, Co. Windham.  Their son NATHAN GILLETT was born ca.1698/1699, wife unknown, died in 1745 in Lebanon, CT.[14]  In his will he left £50 to his honored father Nathan Gillett of Windsor.

 

i.         REBECCA GILLETT born 8 Dec. 1657, married THOMAS WHAPLES before March 1687/8, died before 28 Aug. 1698.  Thomas was born ca. 1656, died at Hartford between 10 Feb. 1712/3 & 3 Apr. 1713.  He was a son of Thomas & Margery Whaples of Hartford.  Rebecca’s father deeded to his son-in-law Thomas Wapples of Hartford approximately 11 acres & 3 roods of meadow in Weatong.  The inventory of Thomas Whaples’ estate amounted to £203/01/01.

 

                   v.            WILLIAM GYLETT born ca. 1610(?) in Chaffcombe Parish, Somerset, living in England in 1641.  He was executor of his father’s will.

 

                 vi.            ELIAS GYLET baptized 11 Feb. 1611/12 in Chaffcombe Parish.  According to Joseph Forster, ed., Alumni Oxonienses, 1500-1714, Oxford, 1891, Vol. WP. 569, “Gillett Elias, son of William of Chaffcombe, Somerset, sacred (i.e., priest, clergyman) New Hal Inn, matriculated 7 May 1632, aged 20; B.A. 7 June 1632; M.A. 23 April 1635.”[15]

 

                vii.            JEREMIAH GYLLETT born ca. 1616(?) in Chaffcombe Parish, Somerset.  Apparently Jeremiah also emigrated to New England since he was granted land for his service in the Pequot War of 1637  but by 1641 he had returned to England.

 

Son Sgt. JEREMIAH GILLETT received a grant of land in Simsbury in 1678.  On 9 Mar. 1679/80 the committee appointed by the General Court “for settling of y^e plantation of Simsbury” determined that proprietor Jermiah Gillyt’s land should be on the “east side.”  On 13 Dec. 1678, “giuen to Jeremiah Gylitt” 12 acres.  There was a difference concerning the place for the meeting house, and among the signers was “Jere Gillyt.”  On 28 May 1685 (1683?), Jeremiah Gillit was chosen Sergeant.  “Jere Gillyt was a signer of the agreement with the minister, Mr. Edward Thompson, 27 June 1687, and Jeremiah Gillit signed the agreement about the mills.  On 28 Apr. 1702, Jeremiah Gyllit of Simsbury, for £5, conveyed to John Humphris: the acknowledgement was entered as made by “Serg^t Jeremiah.[16]

 

              viii.            THOMAS GYLLET baptized 27 Mar. 1623 in Chaffcombe Parish, Somerset, living in England in 1641.

 

                 ix.            ANDREW GYLLET baptized in Apr. 1623 in Chaffcombe Parish, Somerset.

 

4. JONATHAN GILLETT[17]

 

Jonathan Gillett born 29 Dec. 1605) in Chaffcombe, Somerset, England, married MARY DOLBIAR/DOLBERE 29 Mar. 1634 in St. Andrew’s Church, Colyton, Devonshire (Fig. 2), died 23 Aug. 1677 in Windsor, CT, probably buried in Old Burying Ground.[18]  Mary was baptized 17 June 1607 in Colyton, died 5 Jan. 1685/6 in Windsor, buried 14 May 1686 in Windsor.[19]  She was a daughter of Rawkey & Mary (Michell) Dolbere.[20]  The register of St. Andrew’s Church at Colyton, Devonshire, reads “29 March 1634 Jonathan Gillet, sonne of Rev. William Gillet, and Mary Dolbere of Colyton, County Devonshire, England.”[21]

 

From the notation by Jonathan’s son Benjamin in the “Bear Bible” (see below) we know that “My father Gille(tt) came into new-inglan the second time in June in the year 1634.”  One theory is that Jonathan was a passenger on the 400-ton “Mary & John” which departed Plymouth 20 Mar. 1630, Capt. Thomas Squibb, master.[22]  The 140 passengers were from the counties Dorset, Somerset and Devon.  One of the two clergymen with this group was Rev. John Warham who had been a vicar in Crewkerne, Somerset.  On 30 May the “Mary & John” landed at Nantasket Bay and the group initially settled at Dorchester.  Jonathan Gillet’s name appears in the list of all grantees of Dorchester lands whose names were in the Town Records prior to Jan. 1636.  Five years later a great majority of them removed to Windsor, CT, under the leadership of Warham.[23]  Note that our Jonathan followed this exact route, settling near Mr. Warham in Windsor.  But first Jonathan returned to England and married Mary Dolbiar 29 Mar. 1634 in Colyton, Devonshire.  They promptly boarded the “Recovery of London,” which departed 31 Mar. 1634 from Weymouth, Dorset, for New England.  On board were 26 passengers.  Most, if not all, were from Dorset, Somerset and Devon.[24]

 

Both Jonathan and his wife were members of the original Dorchester and Windsor churches.

 

Jonathan brought with him a copy of the 1599 Geneva edition of the Bible.  In the family it was known as the “Bear Bible” because it had been clawed by a bear when it lay on a window-sill holding up a window sash..  In this bible is written “My father Gille[tt] came into new-inglan the secon[d] time in June in the yeare 1634 and Jonathan his sonne was born about half a yeare aftur he cam to land.”[25]

 

On 17 Apr. 1635 Jonathan was allowed by the town of Dorchester “to fence in half an acre of ground about his house leaving a sufficient highway.[26]

 

On 6 May 1635 Jonathan was made a freeman of Massachusetts Bay Colony.  He left Dorchester before 20 June 1638.

 

In Windsor Jonathan was granted in 1639 a lot 17 rods wide.  It contained over 4 acres and was near Mr. Warham’s.  His brother Nathan’s lot was on the west side and paralleled Jonathan’s (Fig. 3).[27]

 

Jonathan served on numerous Connecticut juries from Dec. 1653 to 20 Jan. 1662/3.  He was a constable in Windsor in 1655/6.

 

Jona Gillet (6 Apr. 1662), Jonath. Gillett’s wife and Cornelus Gillet (16 June 1665) were admitted to the Windsor Church per Matthew Grant’s church record “(A list of those members of the church that) were so in Dorchester, and came up here with Mr. Warham and still are of us.”[28]

 

On 9 June 1662 Jonathan Gillett Sen. was granted 2 parcels of swampland totaling 5 or 6 acres by the court-appointed committee to dispose of land without the west bounds of Windsor.

 

On 28 Apr. 1665, Nassahegan, sachem of Poquonock, sold to Jonathan Gillet, Sen., of Windsor a piece of land, swamp or marsh, containing 12 acres called by the Indians Matacomacok.  This was situated without the west bounds of Windsor, southerly of the swamp belonging to John Moore & Edward Griswold.

 

On 11 Oct. 1669 “Jonathan Gillet, Senr.” was listed as a freeman of Windsor.

 

In 1671 Jonathan was granted 40 acres in Simsbury, CT, for his 1637 service in the Pequot War.

 

In 1675 both Jon. Gillet and Jon. Gillet, Jr., were taxed in Windsor in the “Family and horse” category.[29]

 

Voluntary contributors for the poor 11 June 1676 included:

-         Jonathan Gillet, Senr. 4/6

-         Nathan Gillet 2/6

-         Cornelius Gillet 2/6.[30]

 

On 10 July 1676 Jonath: Gillet, Sen^r, Deacon J^no Moore, John Loomys & Jacob Drake of Windsor were credited by the Connecticut “Council” for distributing  supplies to “our brethren in distress in our neighboring Colonyes” and requested them to distribute the remainder to Springfield and those upper towns according to their good discretion.[31]

 

Jonathan wrote his will 8 Aug. 1677.  It was proved 6 Sept. 1677.  In it Jonathan wrote “my will is that if the Lord should take me and my wife both of us away by death within four years after the date hereof, my son Josiah shall pay some legacie, as to his brother Jonathan Gillett £4 and a gun, and to his brother Cornelius Gillett £4, & to my daughter, Peter Browne’s wife £2, and to my daughter Samuel Fylle’s wife, £2, and to the two children which I have taken that were my son Joseph’s, deceased, as the little son Johnathan £5, and the girl £5.  Since Jonathan’s wife, Mary, did not die until 1685 this part of his will did not take effect.  Widow Mary was named sole executrix of Jonathan’s will.  She inherited “both of  my houselots, my one and that which was my brother Nathan Gillett’s, which are both nine acres, also at the upper end of the first meadow, or that which is Timothy Phelpes   Jonathan’s inventory taken 31 Aug. 1677 totaled £273/10/00, including real estate valued at £188.

 

The children of Jonathan & Mary were:

 

         i.            JONATHAN GILLETT, Jr.,  born in Dorchester Dec. 1634 - Jan. 1634/5, married (1) MARY (ANNA?) KELSEY 23 Apr. 1661 in Windsor, married (2) MIRIAM DIBBLE 14 Dec. 1676 also in Windsor, died 27 Feb. 1697/8.  Mary was born ca. 1634, died 18 Apr. 1676 in Windsor.  She was a daughter of William Kelsey of Hartford.  Miriam was born 19 Feb. 1644/5 in Windsor, baptized there 7 Dec. 1645, died after May 1703.  She was a daughter of Thomas Dibble.  On 21 May 1657 “Jonath: Gillet Juni^r” was among 65 Windsor men “made free before the Court.”  On 6 Apr. 1662 he was admitted to the Windsor Church.  On 11 Oct. 1669 Jonathan Gillet, Jr., was listed as a freeman of Windsor.  Jonathan inherited from his father 20 acres of woodland joining on to the 20 acres expressed to his mother.  He also inherited 10 acres next to Thomas Barber.  It adjoined 10 acres he already owned. Jonathan also co-inherited with his brother Cornelius from their father 11 acres without the west bounds of Windsor.  On 24 Dec. 1679 Jonathan Gillett was one of four who took the inventory of the estate of James Egleston of Windsor who had died 1 Dec. 1679.  On 4 Mar. 1679/80 Jonathan and Cornelius (see below) were appointed to assist Mr. John Loomis, administrator to the above widow.[32] Jonathan wrote his will 25 Aug. 1694.  It was proven 5 Apr. 1698.  Witnesses were Henry Wolcott, Sr., and Nathaniel Gillet.   The inventory totaled £360/13/00.  Jonathan had 10 children.

 

       ii.            CORNELIUS GILLETT born ca. July 1636 in Dorchester, married PRISCILLA KELSEY 16 Jan. 1658, died 26 June 1711 in Windsor.  He was named for his uncle Cornelius Dolbiar.  Priscilla was born ca. 1632, died 7 Jan. 1722/3.  In 1658 Cornelius Gillett bought from Josiah Ellsworth  lot of length 60 rods & width 18 rods.  This lot had been granted to Alexander Alford (Alvord) in 1645.[33]  On 20 May 1658 “Cornel: Gillet” was among 70 Windsor men “made free before the court.”  Cornelius was admitted to the Windsor Church 16 Jan. 1665.  On 11 Oct. 1669 “Cornelius Gillet” was listed as a freeman of Windsor.  Priscilla was admitted in Feb. 1671.  She was a sister of Miriam Kelsey (see ¶i. above).  On 2 July 1687 Priscilla Gillett witnessed with her “X” the will of Mary Randolph of Hartford.[34] Cornelius co-inherited with his brother Jonathan from their father 11 acres without the west bounds of Windsor.  On 23 Mar. 1691 Cornelius Gillett and two others took inventory of the estate of Peter Browne, Sr., of Windsor.  It amounted to £408-15-06.[35]   Cornelius wrote his will 2 June 1711 in Windsor.  It was proved 3 Sept. 1711.  The inventory of £44-07-06 was taken 27 July 1711.  Cornelius & Priscilla had 9 children.

 

      iii.            MARY GILLETT born late 1637/early 1638 in Dorchester, married PETER BROWN/BROWNE 15 July 1658 in Windsor, died 27 Aug. 1719 in Windsor.  Peter was born ca. 1632, died 9 Mar. 1691/2 in Windsor (a son of Peter Brown of the Mayflower?).  His estate amounted to £480.  Peter and Mary had 12 children.  For a continuation of this line see Jacobus, Donald L. & Herschel S. Murphy, “Peter Brown of Windsor, CT” (TAG, 1957), 33:214 – 222.

 

     iv.            ANNA (HANNAH) GILLETT born 29 Dec. 1639 in Windsor, married SAMUEL FILLEY 29 Oct. 1663 in Windsor, died 18 Nov. 1711 in Windsor.   Samuel was born 24 Sept. 1643 in Windsor and died there 4 Jan. 1711 – 1712.  He was a son of William & Margaret Filley of Windsor.  In Dec. 1665 Anna was admitted a member of the Windsor Church.  In 1669 Samuel & Anna removed to Massaco (now Simsbury), CT, but subsequently removed back to Windsor.  Samuel’s estate was valued at £327 plus.  They had 10 children.

 

       v.            JOSEPH GILLETT (see ¶5. below).

 

     vi.            SAMUEL GILLETT baptized in Windsor 22 Jan. 1642/3, married HANNAH DICKINSON 23 Sept. 1668 in Hadley (Hatfield?), MA, killed 19 May 1676 at Turner’s Falls.  Samuel & Hannah settled on the frontier at Hatfield, MA.  Hannah was born 6 Dec. 1648 in Wethersfield, died after 1687.  She was a daughter of Sgt. John & Frances  Dickinson.  She married (2) Stephen Jennings in Hatfield 15 May 1677 and they removed to Brookfield, MA.  Samuel and Hannah had 4 children.

 

Samuel was with Capt. Turner at the Falls Fight at Peskeompsinson[36] in which 37 English were lost including Samuel and Capt. Turner.[37]

 

Hannah had been remarried only a few months when on 19 Sept. 1677 she and her 5-year old daughter Mary and her 4-year old son Samuel were captured during an Indian attack on Hatfield.  Hannah was pregnant at the time.  When the authorities refused to pursue the Indians in fear of ambush, her husband and Benjamin Wait set out together to recover the captives who were headed for Canada.  After a journey that lasted all winter they reached Canada in January and negotiated a ransom with the French.  There Hannah had a daughter she named Captivity Jennings on 22 Jan. 1678.  Hannah returned to home with her children in June 1678.[38]  On 22 July 1710 Stephen Jennings while engaged in making hay was ambushed and killed by Indians at Brookfield.  Captivity Jennings married Abigah Bartlett.  He too was killed by Indians Oct. 1708.[39]

 

SAMUEL GILLETT, son of Samuel and Hannah, was born ca. 1673, married HANNAH HASTINGS 9 Jan. 1697/8 (see ¶7. below).

 

    vii.            JOHN GILLETT born 5 Oct. 1644 in Windsor, married MERCY/MARY BARBER 8 July 1669 in Windsor, died shortly before 5 Dec. 1682 in Simsbury (Windsor?).  Mercy was baptized 12 Oct. 1651 in Windsor, died 29 Mar. (31 Dec.?) 1725 in Suffield, CT.  She was a daughter of Thomas & Jane (Joan?) Barber.  She married (2) Capt. George Norton 14 (20?) June 1683 in Windsor.  John inherited from his father 6 acres of land without the west bounds of Windsor.  The inventory of the estate of John Gillett of Windsor was taken 5 Dec. 1682 by John Loomis, Sen. It was valued at £140-14-06.  Legatees were widow Mercy Gillett, John age 9, Thomas age 6, Samuel age 5, Benjamin age 2 and Mercy born 30 Jan. last.  Widow Mercy Gillett was appointed administratrix with Jonathan Gillett, Peter Browne, John Barber and Samuel Barber to be overseers.[40].    Mrs. Thelma Sykes Owen of Lanesboro, MA, was a descendant of John & Mercy.

 

John and Mercy had 7 children all born in Windsor, one of whom, SAMUEL GILLETT, was born 16 Feb. 1677/8, married REBECCA BANCROFT 22 Jan. 1701/2 in Suffield, CT, died in 1739 in Granville, MA, buried in Suffield.  Rebecca was born 23 Feb. 1680 in Springfield, MA.  She was a daughter of Thomas & Margaret (Wright) Bancroft of the Springfield, MA, region with residence at the “lower wharf” now Enfield, CT.  Samuel & Rebecca Gillett’s eldest son JOHN GILLETT born 16 Jan. 1704/5 in Suffield, Hampshire Co., MA (now CT), but now of Nowarck in Providence of East Jarsey in America, Dish Turner, conveyed to Nathll Copley of Windsor, Hartford Co., Conn., Shipwrite, land in Suffield & Bedford, Hampshire Co. that came to me from my father Samuel Gillet formerly of Suffield but late of Bedford (now Granville) deceased (Springfield, MA, Deed Book H:229).[41]  So here we have a second cousin of my Elijah Gillet (see ¶7. below) also living in Newark, NJ in 1734/5!  Note that their early home towns of Suffield and Enfield are only about 5 miles apart (Fig. 4) and that the ages of John and Elijah are only about 1½ years different.

 

Another son of John & Mercy was THOMAS GILLET, the great-great-grandfather of WILLIAM HOOKER GILLETTE, who had Gillette Castle built on the Connecticut River near Hadlyme 1914-1919.[42]

 

  viii.            ABIGAIL GILLETT baptized 28 June 1646 in Windsor, died 1 Mar.1648/9 in Windsor.

 

     ix.            JEREMIAH GILLETT born 12 Feb. 1647/8 in Windsor, baptized 20 Feb. 1647/8, married DEBORAH BARTLETT 15 Oct. 1685 in Windsor, died 1 Mar. 1692/3 in Windsor.  Deborah was born 3 Apr. 1666 in Windsor, died there 29 Sept. 1753.  She was a daughter of Benjamin & Deborah (Barnard) Bartlett.  Deborah married (2) Samuel Adams of Windsor 23 Apr. 1694.  Jeremiah inherited from his father the remainder of his father’s land without the west bounds of Windsor which had not been willed to Jonathan, Cornelius and John.  In 1680 Jeremiah had the place in Windsor previously occupied by his uncle Nathan Gillett who had removed to Simsbury in 1670 (see ¶3. above).  Jeremiah’s will was dated 17 Dec. 1692 but was not proved.  Jeremiah and Deborah had 11 children all born in Windsor.

 

       x.            JOSIAH GILLETT born in Windsor, baptized there 14 July 1650, married JOANNA/HANNAH TAINTOR 30 June 1676 by Mr. John Allyn in Windsor, died 29 Oct. 1736 in Colchester, CT.  Joanna was born 29 Apr. 1657 in Branford, died 23 Jan. 1735/6 in Colchester, CT, a daughter of Michael & Elizabeth (Rose) Taintor of Branford, CT.  In his father’s will Josiah was instructed “to take care for the improvement of his mother’s estate” and after her death “he shall enjoy for his own…my now dwelling house and all the appurtenances with it, with five acres of houselands & all other parcels of land, as are expressed to be his mother’s for her use whilst she lives, only excepting the house & four acres of the household land to it, which my son Jeremy shall possess for his own after my wife’s decease” and “the six acres in the second meadow I set out to him, he is to possess for his own at the present.”  About 1702 Josiah and his large family moved to Colchester where he became a prominent man in all affairs.[43]  Josiah & Hannah had 11 children, all born in Windsor.[44]  Frank Hastings, 3011 Manchester Road, Shaker Heights, OH 44122, is a descendant of Josiah & Joanna through their daughter who married in 1720 John Clark.

 

5. JOSEPH GILLETT

 

Joseph Gillett baptized 25 July 1641 in Windsor. CT, married ELIZABETH HAWKES 24 Nov. 1663 in Hadley, MA,[45] killed in an Indian massacre 18 Sept. 1675 at Bloody Brook, Deerfield, MA.  Elizabeth was baptized 10 Jan. 1646/7 in Windsor, CT, died 11 Oct. 1681 in Hatfield, MA(?).  She was a daughter of John & Elizabeth (Browne) Hawkes.  She married (2) Nathaniel Dickinson 16 Dec. 1680 in Hatfield, MA.  He died 11 Oct. 1710.  Elizabeth’s father, John Hawkes, died intestate in June 1662 in Hadley, Hampshire Co., MA.  In the estate settlement: “Elizabeth shall have the sum of twenty pounds at her day of marriage in such pay as the estate will afford.”[46]

 

In 1666 Joseph bought Windsor land from his widowed mother-in-law.  No doubt this was the “homelot with the addition eight acres” (annotated “sold to Joseph Gylitt”) in John Hawkes’ Windsor, CT, estate settlement.  Joseph and his young family probably lived on this land until their removal to Deerfield, MA.

 

Joseph was listed as a freeman in Windsor on 8 Oct. 1668 and on 11 Oct. 1669.[47]

 

The first record of Joseph in Deerfield is 7 Nov. 1673 when he was present at a plantation meeting there.  Deerfield lot numbers 31 & 32 had been drawn in 1671 by Robert Hinsdale and Nathaniel Colburne.  In 1673 these 2 lots were owned by “Joseph Gillett, son of Jonathan (1), born 1641.”  (Note that Robert Hindsdale had married (2) widow Elizabeth {Brown} Hawkes in 1668.)  When the lots were sold in 1694 they were described as “Sometime two town lots, 16½ by 72 rods with a house on it.”

In Sept. 1675 during King Philip’s War Deerfield was attacked several times by the Indians.  It was decided to evacuate Deerfield.  Capt. Thomas Lathrop’s company of soldiers were bringing loaded carts toward Northampton when they were ambushed at a spot since known as Bloody Brook, about 5 or 6 miles due  south of Deerfield.  The men were taken completely by surprise.  Joseph Gillett and Capt. Lathrop were among the 64 English killed on 18 Sept. (Fig. 4)[48] Reoccupation of Deerfield did not occur until the spring of 1682.

 

The 1676 inventory of Joseph Gillit’s estate was presented to the Corte by John Hawks (Joseph’s mother’s father or brother?).  The inventory totaled £010-09-00.  Also belonging to the estate “Land at Deerfield, viz. two homelotts & Land in ye meadows vallued at 8 Commons.  Debts due ye estate: £02-12-00.

 

As noted above, Joseph’s widow, Elizabeth, married (2) Nathaniel Dickinson 16 Dec. 1680.  Elizabeth then died 11 Oct. 1681.

 

On 18 Apr. 1682 Nathaniel Dickinson of Hatfield requested power of administration of Jos. Gillett’s estate.  In 1686 the estate was finally settled with Joseph Gillett’s 4 sons and 2 daughters.  The oldest son, Joseph Gillett, received a double part.[49]

 

All of the children of Joseph & Elizabeth were born in Windsor, CT:[50]

 

         i.            Lt. JOSEPH GILLETT born 2 (20?) Nov. 1664, married (1) HESTHER/ESTHER GULL 2 (3?) Nov. 1687 in Hatfield, MA, married (2) MARY GRISWOLD 17 May 1692 in Hartford, CT, married (3) ELIZABETH [-?-] after 1719, died 13 Feb. 1745/6 in Hartford, CT.  Esther was born 21 Nov. 1665 in Hadley, MA, died in 1691 in Deerfield.  She was a daughter of William & Elizabeth (Smith/Foote) Gull of Hatfield.  Mary was born 16 Mar. 1670/71 in Windsor, CT, died 19 Dec. 1719 in Hartford.  She was a daughter of Joseph & Mary (Gaylord) Griswold.[51] Data kindly supplied by Richard Field ([email protected]).

 

Following the conclusion of the probation of his father’s estate in 1686 Joseph received several grants of land in Deerfield.  In 1690 Joseph Gillett bought lot #41 on Town Street in Deerfield from John & Benoni Stebbins.  In 1691 Joseph sold back to John & Benoni Stebbins 20 acres in Deerfield Boggy meadow (Deed Book D:151).

 

In1690 Joseph Gillett & Hesther (X) Gillitt signed an agreement regarding the estate of Hesther’s mother.  In his 12 Apr. 1701 will William Gull (Hesther’s father) bequeathed “to my Loveing Grandchild Elizabeth the daughter of my Loving daughter Hesther deceased sometime wife to Joseph Gillet my Lot in ye Meadow commonly called the great meadow in Hatfield con by estm. Five [Six?] acres.”

 

In 1696 Joseph was corporal in the Deerfield garrison.  On 16 July 1698 “Corporal gillit” participated in the Promroy Pursuit of Indians that resulted in the rescue of 2 boys who had been captured by the Indians.  But note that Joseph was apparently removing on to Hartford, CT, via Windsor.

 

By 1694 Joseph was buying land in Hartford, CT.  On 8 Dec. 1700 he was received into the Second Church of Hartford, Conn.[52]  In 1713 he became an original member of the Third Church of Hartford.

 

On 16 July 1700 Joseph Jillet of Hartford bought from Samuel Carer of Deerfield the following “Two Certain pieces, or parcels of land Scituate In the Township of Deerfield:

-         Seven ackers and One Rood

-         10 acres lying in the Great Meadow.

 

In May 1714 Mr. Joseph Gillet of Hartford was confirmed “to be Ensign of the company or trainband at the west division in the town of Hartford, aforesaid, and that he be commissioned accordingly.”  In May 1720 he was promoted to Lieutenant.

 

In 1716 Joseph’s wife Mary received from the estate of her father, Joseph Griswold, £25 of moveables.  Mary’s daughter Sarah Gillett received £5 of moveables (see ¶g. below).[53]

 

On 4 Mar. 1745 the will of Joseph Gillet, Gentleman, Hartford, was probated.  Named in his will were his wife Elizabeth, son Joseph (and his 2 sons Stephen & Asa), son Jonathan, deceased (and his children Jonathan, Mehetabel & Mary), daughter Sarah Goodwin, daughter Abigail Smith, deceased, daughter Dorothy Bewell, son Matthew, granddaughter Rhoda Andrews, daughter Elizabeth Marsh, daughter Mary Andrews, daughter Esther Bancroft, daughter Hannah Burr and the heirs of Abigail Smith, deceased.  Sons Joseph and Matthew were the executors.  The inventory amounted to £2,246 plus.

 

The only child of Joseph & Esther was:

 

a.       ELIZABETH GILLETT born 12 Apr. 1689 in Deerfield, married EBENEZER MARSH of Hatfield, MA in 1707, died after 16 Mar. 1753 in Sunderland, MA.[54]   Ebenezer and Elizabeth had 11 children.[55]

 

The 9 children of Joseph & Mary were:

 

b.      JOSEPH GILLETT born 16 Feb. 1692/3 (17 May 1693?) in Windsor, married SARAH BURR in Hartford, died 11 Nov. 1764.  Sarah was a daughter of John & Sarah Burr.  Joseph & Sarah were admitted to the West Hartford Church 24 Nov. 1717.[56]

 

c.       JONATHAN GILLETT born 1694-1698 probably in Hartford, married MEHITABEL DICKINSON, died before 6 June 1741.  Apparently Mehitabel predeceased him.  Administrator of Joseph’s estate was Joseph Gillett of Hartford (his father?).  Moses Dickinson of Hartford was appointed guardian of  the 3 children.  They were:

1)      MEHETABELL GILLETT born ca. 1733.

2)      MARY (MAY) GILLETT born ca. 1735.  On 13 Nov. 1750 Mary chose Stephen Goodwin of Simsbury to be her guardian (see ¶g. below).

3)      JONATHAN GILLETT born 4 Feb. 1737 in West Division of Hartford Twp., married ELIZABETH STEEL in 1758, died 9 Dec. 1779 in West Hartford.  On 11 Feb. 1752 Jonathan chose his uncle Joseph Gillett to be his guardian (see ¶b. above).  In the Revolutionary War Lt. Jonathan Gillett of Col. Huntington’s Regiment was captured 27 Aug. (5 Sept.?) 1776 by the British following the Battle of Long Island.  He was first confined to a prison ship but later was released and had the liberty of New York City on parole for 2 years.  Due to ill health he was released in the fall of 1779 and permitted to return to his home in West Hartford where he died 9 Dec. 1779.  His son, JONATHAN GILLETT, enlisted after his father’s death, was captured at Horse-Neck by Col. De Lancy’s Light Horse and taken to New York City and imprisoned, as his father had before him.[57]

d.      MARY GILLETT born 2 Nov. 1699 in Hartford, baptized 31 Dec. 1699, married CALEB ANDREWS 15 Feb. 1721/2 in Wethersfield, died 1 Jan. 1786 in Newington, CT.  They had 9 children.

e.       ESTHER GILLETT born 1 March 1701 in Hartford, baptized 27 Apr. 1701, married NATHANIEL BANCROFT of Windsor, died after 8 Mar. 1753.  Nathaniel was born ca. 1700 in Windsor.

f.        HANNAH GILLETT born in 1702 in Hartford, baptized 18 Oct. 1702, married NODIAH (HODIAH) BURR in the Third Church in Hartford, died after 8 Mar. 1753.  Hodiah was born 21 Dec. 1701 in Farmington, CT.  They had 2 children. 

g.       SARAH GILLETT born 30 Sept. 1704 in Hartford, baptized 8 Oct. 1704, married STEPHEN GOODWIN 27 June 1727 in Hartford, died 24 Oct. 1792 in Simsbury, CT.  They had 5 children.

h.       ABIGAIL GILLETT born 9 Aug. 1705 in Hartford, baptized 30 Sept. 1705, married ABIEL SMITH 24 Sept. 1729 in Litchfield, died 12 July 1738 in Litchfield.  They had 6 children.

i.         MATTHEW GILLETT born 4 Mar. 1707/8 in Hartford,

j.        DOROTHY GILLETT born in Jan. 1710 in Hartford, baptized 21 Jan. 1710/11, married EBENEZER BUELL 19 Oct. 1736 in the Third Church in Hartford, died 24 June 1767 in Litchfield, CT.  Ebenezer was born 16 Mar. 1713 in Lebanon, CT, died 25 Feb. 1801 in Litchfield, CT.  Both Ebenezer & Dorothy were buried in the West Burying Ground in Litchfield.

 

       ii.            ELIZABETH GILLETT born 12 June 1666, living 30 Mar. 1686.

 

      iii.            MARY GILLETT born 1 (10?) Sept. 1667, living 30 Mar. 1686.

 

     iv.            JONATHAN GILLETT born 11 Aug. 1669, died 3 June 1686 in Windsor, CT.

 

       v.            JOHN GILLETT born 10 June 1671, married EXPERIENCE DEWEY 3 Jan. 1699/1700 in Lebanon, CT, died in April 1755 in Lebanon.  Experience was born 9 Apr. 1682 in Westfield (Northampton?), MA, died 1755 in Lebanon, CT.  She was a daughter of Josiah & Hepzibah (Lyman) Dewey..

 

John became associated with the Deerfield garrison along with his older brother Joseph and probably his younger brother Nathaniel.  On 16 Sept. 1696 “John Smead and John Gillett being in the woods, looking or tracking Bees, were beset by a company of French Mohawks. John Gillett was taken prisoner and John Smead escaped.”  The Indians took John to Canada, arriving there 9 Oct.  He was given to the French and “worked as a servt to ye Nuns at their farm.”  After peace was declared John got back to Deerfield “by was of France & so to England, having received great kindness in England.”  Col. Samuel Partridge reported to the Massachusetts General Court:

“Wheras John Gillet who hath been very active and willing souldr within the County of Hampshire & Being on the 16^th day of Sept. 1696 out upon service & together with some others was that day taken by the Enemy & suffering hardship was carried to Canada Captive & there Remayned till Septer Last & then was sent from thence Prisoner unto old ffrance & thence (by the later Articles of Peace) the sd Gillet together with other Captives was Released & carried into England: Since his Arrivall there hath Lived & obtained pay for his Passage by the Charities of some English Marchets  there; & now being arrived here Destetute of Money or Cloaths for his P’sent Reliefe Humbly propose it to ye Honoble Genll Corte to allow him something wt this Corte judge meet for his P’sent Reliefe.

                                                                                                Samuel Patrigg ---

June 17 1698 --- In the House of Representatives --- Ordered that there be allowed and paid out of the Publick Treasury the sum of six pounds to the above named John Gillet for the consideration above mentioned (Sgd) Nathl Byfield, Speaker.”

 

However, on 23 Oct. 1696 he had been assumed dead and administration had been granted his estate![58]

 

For more than 30 years after the 1675 King Philip’s War the inhabitants of the Northampton area (Fig. 4) had lived in almost daily apprehension of attacks from the Indians.  Thus many decided to remove to safer locations, such as Lebanon, CT.  The Lebanon tract had been sold by the Indians in 1692 and settlement had begun in 1695.

 

John was one of the 51 original proprietors of Lebanon in 1695.[59]  In Dec. 1697 he obtained homelot No. 19.  Experience’s brother Deacon Josiah Dewey lived nearby at homelot No. 9.[60]

 

The children of John & Experience were all born in Lebanon, CT:

 

a.       EXPERIENCE GILLETT born 18 Aug. 1701.

b.      JOHN GILLETT, Jr., born 7 Oct. 1702, married ABIGAIL LEE 1 (30?) Dec. 1726 in First Congregational Church in Lebanon, died in Apr. 1775 (10 July 1788?) in Hebron.  Abigail was born 27 Feb. 1703/4 in Lebanon, a daughter of Stephen Lee.  The children of John & Abigail were:

A.     LUCY GILLETT born 11 Oct. 1728 in Lebanon, married JOSEPH WATERS 10 Dec. 1746.[61]     

B.     BEZABEL GILLETT  born 21 June 1731 in Hebron, Tolland Co., CT.

C.     IRENE GILLETT born 27 Feb. 1733 in Hebron.

D.     JOHN GILLETT born 6 Jan. 1738/9 in Hebron, married Mrs. ABIGAIL POMEROY 19 Apr. 1759.  Abigail was born 12 June 1743 or 1744 in Hebron, died 24 Jan. 1835.

c.       EBENEZER GILLETT born 5 June 1705, married MARY ORDWAY 23 Sept. 1730, died 19 Oct. 1776.  Mary was born 16 Aug. 1712 in Lebanon, died 4 Sept. 1791.  On 21 Sept. 1727 Ebenezer witnessed in Lebanon the deed of his cousin Elijah Gillet (see ¶7. below).  Ebenezer was a charter proprietor of Hartford, VT, his share of the first division being lot No. 16, lying on the Connecticut River, north of White River.  After purchasing the entire right of Gideon Hebard, he gave his son John, Dec. 23, 1767, one whole share, his original right, and on the same day he gave his son Israel the whole right purchased of Gideon Hebard, excepting the few acres located in Quebec.  Ebenezer never went to Hartford, VT.[62]

d.      GERSHOM GILLETT born 26 June 1711

 

     vi.            NATHANIEL GILLET (see ¶6. below).

 

    vii.            HANNAH GILLETT born 30 Jan. 1674/5, died 11 Aug. 1683 in Windsor.

 

6. NATHANIEL GILLET

 

Nathaniel Gillet was born 4 May 1673 in Windsor, CT (Deerfield, MA?), married SARAH COLVER ca. 1701, died intestate 10 July 1714 in Lebanon, New London Co., CT.  Sarah was born 17 Mar. 1681/2 in New London, CT,[63] died 6 Jan. 1716/7 in Enfield MA (now CT) (Fig. 4).  She was a daughter of John & Mercy (Clark) Colver.[64]  (Note that Frederick L. Colver points out that John Colver had removed from New Haven to New London in 1679).[65]    

 

By 1682 both of Nathaniel’s parents were dead.  Nathaniel was then brought up by his step-father Nathaniel Dickinson.  They lived in Hadley and/or Hatfield, MA.

 

Along with his brothers Joseph and John, Nathaniel probably became connected with the Deerfield garrison.[66]

 

On 14 (16) July 1698, Corporal gillit was one of the Garrison Soldiers at Deerfield who, under Benjamin Wright, marched up the Connecticut River to Vernon, Vermont, to rescue Indian captives. Then Joseph Hawley and Joseph Parsons were sent to Albany, NY, to give a particular account of the affair.

 

Nath’l Gillet (along with Benj. Wright, William King, Benj. Stebbins & Jona. Taylor) guarded the two men being sent from Deerfield to Albany.  For his effort, Nathaniel was awarded £1.[67]

 

When Nathaniel removed to Lebanon, CT, and where he married Sarah Colver are not known.  We do know that Nathaniel’s brother John (see ¶5.v. above) was in Lebanon by 1695 and that Nathaniel had been working on a farm in Lebanon before 16 Jan. 1710/11 (see below).

 

Sarah’s uncle Lt. Edward Culver had moved from Norwich, CT, to Lebanon, CT.[68]  He was one of the 51 original proprietors of Lebanon in 1695.[69]

 

Sarah’s eldest brother John Colver (Sr.) was also in Lebanon for a time.  On 31 May 1732 John Collver Sen^r of Lebanon sold for £60 to John Watrus of Groton, CT, land in Groton.[70]

 

Apparently by 1699 Sarah’s parents had split up and Mercy was living in Lebanon as late as 13 Mar. 1732.[71]

 

This Colver family were Rogerenes.  They were very unpopular because they denounced as unscriptural all interference by the civil authorities in the worship of God.[72]  On 26 July (Aug?) 1725 Sarah’s brother John Colver and his wife Sarah  were members of a party of Rogerenes that went from Groton to Lebanon on Sunday to baptize converts.  They were arrested in Norwich for traveling on the Sabbath and were, in default of money to pay their fine, whipped and afterwards released and continued their journey to Lebanon.[73]  In 1734 John Colver, his wife and 10 children with their families, making a party of 21 in all, removed to New Jersey and settled for a time on the east side of Schooley’s Mountain, Morris Co. (Fig. 5).[74]  Note that our Doc Elijah Gillet first shows up in Newark, NJ, in 1732.  Probably this is just a coincidence since the Rogerenes believed that “Any resort in sickness to physicians or the use of medicine was sinful.”[75]

 

The first Congregational Church in Lebanon was organized in 1700 but marriage records do not begin until 1712.[76]

 

On 16 Jan. 1710/11 Cap^t John Mason of y^e Town of Stonington in New London County for & upon Good Consideration of Labour upon another farm by Nathan^l Gillet of Lebanon, 100 acres in the presence of John Poaxson(?) and John Huchisson.[77]  John Mason was one of the 51 original proprietors of Lebanon in1695. Note in Fig.6[78] that Gillette Creek is near the southern corner of the town.  When Nathaniel’s son Elijah sold on 21 Sept. 1722 the land he had inherited from his father the land description identified “the Easternmost branch of the Deep Brook” (Lebanon
Deed Book 4:56-57).  Both Gillette Brook and Deep Brook (River) flow into the Yantic River.

 

The inventory of the estate of Nathanniel Gillet Late of Lebanon, Deceasced was taken by Eduerd Coluer and John Sprague on 19 July 1714.[79]  The total valuation was £142-19-04 of which £100-00-00 was for house and land.  Sarah Gillit widow and Relick of Nath^ll Gillitt late of Lebanon dec^d made oath in a Court of Probate that she gave in a true Acco^t of her _____ husbands Estate to the appraisers, and that if anything more appeared she would add it to the Inventory.  The names and ages of y^e Children:

1.      Nathaniel aged twelve years

2.      Joseph aged ten years

3.      Elijah aged eight years

4.      Jonathan aged six years.

 

 Also included in the estate papers on file were an Account of Administration, a bond for £300 by Sarah Gillett and her surety Edward Coluer and the following 10 receipts:

-         John Page, Groton, County of Middlesex, Massachusetts Bay, New England, 1708,  4 shillings, witnesses: Ephraim Coluer & Martha Coluer.

-         Samuel Hide

-         Sam’l Huntington

-         Joseph Trumble

-         Stephen Tilden

-         Dr. Thomas Palmer (John & Experience Woodward witnesses)

-         Edward Pratt

-         William Bruster

-         Gersham Maloon

-         Thos Leffingwell.

 

The children of Nathaniel & Sarah were all born in Lebanon:

 

         i.            NATHANIEL GILLET born 18 Nov. 1702, baptized 3 Jan. 1702/3,[80] married MERCY SMITH 6 Apr. 1727 in Litchfield, CT, died 28 Mar. 1756 in Salisbury, CT.  Mercy married (2) Benjamin Boardman.

 

On 12 May 1724 Nathaniel Gilit of Lebanon in New London Co. sold to Caleb Hamon of Lebanon land his father had purchased of Cap^t John Mason.  Witnesses were William Hunt and William Clark.[81]

 

On 8 July 1726 Nathaniel Gillot of town of Litchfield, Hartford Co., sold for £14 to Samuel Hills 6 2/3 acres of land in Lebanon.  (See accompanying article “Leonard Sibblings,” ¶3.i.). Witnesses were Samuel West and Nathan West.[82]

 

On 12 July 1740 Nathaniel Gellit of Litchfield, CT, bought about 126 acres of land lying upon the Sharon line in Salisbury (NW corner of CT).[83]  In 1742 he payed a tax of  £29 in Salisbury.[84]

 

Probate #1377 of the estate of Nathaniel Gillett of Salisbury, Sharon District, was made in 1756.  A bond to the Court of Probate was signed by Mercy Gellett (her mark) and Thomas Skinner.

 

The children of Nathaniel & Mercy were:[85]

 

a.       MARY GILLET born 19 Nov. 1728, married JOHN HOLCOMB/BALCAM, Jr.

b.      JONATHAN GILLET born 30 June (July?) 1731.

c.       JOHN GILLET born 9 Feb. 1733/4, married ABIGAIL HOUGH 14 Nov. 1754, died 1794. A John Gillet paid taxes in Salisbury, Litchfield Co., CT in 1756 and 1760 on his land assessed at £33 in 1756. In 1746 Nathll Gillit had paid taxes on land there assessed at £45.[86]

d.      IRENE GILLET born 14 Jan. 1736/7.

e.       NATHANIEL GILLET born 15 Aug. 1739 in Litchfield,  CT, married HANNAH STONE, died ca. 1794 in Granby, Simsbury.  They had a son ELIJAH GILLET born 21 (23?) Mar. 1775 in Salisbury, CT.[87]  Probate #1136 of the estate of Nathaniel Gillet, a son of Nathaniel & Mercy, was made in 1794 in Granby, Simsbury.

f.        JOSEPH GILLET born 5 Dec. 1745, died 28 May 1746.

g.       JACOB GILLET born 19 Mar. 1749 in Salisbury, married DEBORAH MONROW. Mercy and her second husband, Benjamin Boardman, were appointed guardians of  Deborah’s youngest son JACOB GILLET 28 Oct. 1765.[88]

 

       ii.            JOSEPH GILLET was born 11 Oct. 1704, baptized 25 Oct. 1713 in the Lebanon Congregational Church, married ANN MERRILL/MERRELL by Benjamin Catlin 23 Jan. 1727/8 in Litchfield (W. Hartford?), died 29 July 1765 in Amenia, NY.[89]  Ann was born 16 Nov. 1704 in Hartford, a daughter of John Merrill, Jr.  On 9 May 1748 John Merrill, Jr., willed 10 shillings to his daughter Ann Merrill, alias Gillet.

 

On 16 June 1726 Joseph Gillot formerly of Lebanon sold to Samuel Hills for £56 land (no doubt the land he had inherited from his father).[90]

 

In 1739 Joseph was living in Judea (now Washington), CT.  He was a cordwainer (i.e., shoemaker).

 

The children of Joseph & Ann were:[91]

 

a.       SARAH GILLET born 25 Sept. 1728 in Litchfield, CT

b.      ANN GILLET born 16 June 1731 in Litchfield (Hartford?), CT

c.       SYBILL GILLET born 1 Dec. 1733 in Litchfield, CT

d.      HEPSEBAL/HEBSIBAH GILLET baptized 30 May 1739 in Judea, CT

e.       BUELAH/BEULAH GILLET baptized 30 May 1739 in Judea, CT.

 

      iii.            ELIJAH GILLET (see ¶7. below).

 

     iv.            JONATHAN GILLET born 5 May 1708 in Lebanon, died before 21 Sept. 1727.

 

       v.            JOSHUA GILLET born 26 Dec. 1710, died 13 Mar. 1710/11 in Lebanon, CT.

 

7. ELIJAH GILLET

 

Elijah Gillet was born 31 July 1706 in Lebanon, CT, and baptized 25 Oct. 1713 in the Lebanon Congregational Church along with his brothers Joseph & Jonathan.[92]  The church had been organized in 1700.  Elijah probably married JANE [-?-]  before 1742 (see below).

 

Following his father’s 1714 death in Lebanon, Elijah no doubt removed with his mother to Enfield, MA (now CT).

 

We next hear of Elijah on 2 May 1724 when Enfield soldiers Joseph and Elijah Gillett were billeted in Hatfield, MA, at Dr. Thomas Hastings’ home.[93]  On 17 Nov. 1724 an account was rendered by Dr. Thomas Hastings of Hatfield, MA, “for Sundry billeting and Subsistence to Com. Soldiers in ye time of their Paying & Repaying May 2, 1724.  To 8 meals and lodging to Jos. Gillet & Elijah Gillet soldiers sent from Infield at 0-4-4.”[94]  Joseph Gillet was Elijah’s older brother.  It turns out that Dr. Thomas & Anna (Hawkes) Hastings who billeted Joseph & Elijah Gillet had a daughter Hannah who had married 9 Jan. 1697/8 Samuel Gillett, a cousin of the boys’ father Nathaniel.  Samuel’s father, Samuel Gillett, had been killed by the Indians in 1676 at the Turner Falls Fight (see ¶4.vi. above).

 

Then on 21 Sept. 1727 Elijah Gillet sold for £53 to Samuel Hills the 20 acres of land he had inherited from his father and the 6 2/3 acres he had obtained from his deceased brother Jonathan (Lebanon Deed Book 4:56-57).  The deed was witnessed by Gersham Clark and Eben: Gillet .  Ebenezer Gillet was Elijah’s cousin (see ¶5.v.c. above).  At the time Elijah signed this deed he was living in Wethersfield, Hartford Co., CT, but no mention of him has been found in the Wethersfield deeds, church records, etc.  In fact, no further record of him has been found in CT!  In this connection, note that Elijah Gillet did not marry Mary Evarts as mistakenly reported in Barbour’s “Collection of CT Town Vital Records,” 37:194.

 

But we now pick up out of the blue an Elijah Gillet in Newark, Essex Co., NJ.  At this point we are assuming this is our Elijah.  Naturally, I would much appreciate anyone’s data to prove (or disprove) this assumption.

 

In Dec. 1733 Elijah Gillett and Jno. Cooper inventoried the estate of Dr. Michael Powell of Newark, Essex Co., NJ.  The inventory amounted to £38.17.05.[95]  Note that Elijah’s second cousin John Gillett was also living in Newark at this time (see ¶4.vii. above).

 

The 22 Sept. 1737 inventory of the estate of Samuel Cooper, Esq., of Newark, Essex Co., NJ, listed a bond due from Doctor Gillet.[96]

 

Elijah Gillette witnessed the will of Silas Hains of Hanover, Morris Co., NJ, tailor.  Executors were Rev. Mr. Daniel Taylor of Newark and Joseph Tuttle of Hanover.  The will was proved 2 Feb. 1742.[97]  Joseph Tuttle had settled in Newark.  In 1725 he bought land in Hanover, Morris Co., and removed there ca. 1732.[98]  The receipt for carrying Silas Hain’s will to Burlington was signed by David Stout 27 Sept. 1743.[99]

 

Doctor Elijah Jillet and his wife Jane were members of the First Presbyterian Church of Morristown in 1742 when Rev. Timothy Johnes became the first pastor.[100]

 

So Elijah Gillet was a doctor!  Note that this does not indicate that he attended a medical school.  In fact before 1770 medical students who did not study in Europe received their medical education through the apprentice system.[101]  Also note that the Rogerenes believed that it was contrary to their tenets to employ physicians or to use medicine.[102]  Thus it would appear that Elijah was not associated with the Rogerenes on Schooley’s Mountain in the West corner of Morris Co. (Fig. 5).[103]

 

In 1744 Elijah Gillett was appointed high sheriff of Morris Co. by the Governor.[104]  Thomas Clark was the first sheriff, being appointed in 1739.  The third sheriff was Caleb Fairchild, appointed in 1748.[105]

 

In a suit Allworth vs Simcock in the March 1748 term Middlesex Session of the NJ Supreme Court, John Simcock, Jr., was being held by Elijah Gillette, Esq., High Sheriff of Morris Co.[106]

 

On 25 July 1748 David Kitechel, Timothy Tuttle and Elijah Gillett witnessed the will of Caleb Ball of Hanover, Morris Co., NJ, gentleman.[107]  Caleb Ball had been a leading citizen of Newark in 1700.[108]  About 1710 he removed to Whippanong, Hanover Twp., where he became owner of one-sixth of the “Old Iron Works.”[109]  Abraham Kitchell (father of David Kitechel) was a neighbor.[110]  Timothy Tuttle was born in Woodbridge, NJ, 16 Oct. 1696, settled in Newark, NJ, with his brother Joseph Tuttle.  In 1728 Timothy was chosen “Clerk of Strays.”  In 1730-1731 he was a fence viewer and an overseer of the poor.  He was chosen Assessor in 1732.  About 1733 he removed to Hanover, Morris Co.[111]

 

No Gillet, etc., was a freeholder (i.e., real estate owner) in Morris Co. in 1752 or 1776.[112]

 

Strays posted in Hanover Twp:

-         16 Nov. 1752 by Doc Elijah Gillet

-         11 Dec. 1759 by Doc Elijah Gillit.[113]

 

On 4 June 1754 Elijah Gillett of Morris Co. was appointed administrator of the will of James Eakin of Philadelphia, merchant.  Elijah was a creditor of James Eakin.[114]

 

Elijah Jillet and his wife Jane were both received by Letter ca. 1755 into the First Presbyterian Church of Morristown.  He was a physician.[115]

 

At a 29 Aug. 1764 Session meeting of the First Presbyterian Church of Middletown a difference between Doc Elijah Gillet and Brother Coe was settled (Fig. 7).[116]

 

In the 17 Oct. 1765 issue of the “New York Gazette or Weekly Post Boy” there was published an order made by Jacob Ford & Robert Goble, Esquires, Judges of the Court of Common Pleas, for the County of Morris and Province of East New-Jersey, upon the petition of Elijah Gillet and Henry Sweet, insolvent debtors, in which they assigned their estates to Benjamin Halsey and Joseph Morris in accordance with “An Act for the Relief of Insolvent Debtors” passed in the “Fifth Year of his present Majesty’s Reign.”[117]

 

Nothing further has been discovered for Elijah.  By 1772 his son-in-law William Throckmorton and many others experienced financial problems and migrated westward and southward.  Were Elijah and Jane with them?

 

The children of Elijah & Jane Gillet were probably:

 

i.            AARON GILLET married JERUSHA COOPER 2 Feb. 1761 at the First Presbyterian Church, Hanover, Morris Co., NJ.[118]

 

On 15 Dec. 1759 Aaron Gillet posted a bond (see ¶8. below).

 

On 7 July 1761 Aaron Gillet and Joshua Lucy witnessed the will of John Sweeney of Roxbury, Morris Co.[119]

 

In March 1764 Aaron Gillett and William Throckmorton were sued by Samuel Kemble for £200.  The suit was discontinued.[120]

 

In 1765 Aaron Gillet applied for a tavern license in Morris Co.[121]

 

A child of Aaron & Jerusha was Doctor ELIJAH GILLETT born ca. 1755(?), married ELIZABETH SCARBOROUGH, died 4 Sept. 1818.  Elizabeth was born ca. 1778, died 3 Jan. 1816.  Both Elijah and Elizabeth were buried in the Gillett Family Burying Ground near Baldoc(k), Barnwell Co., SC.[122]  Elijah was a medical doctor.  He was Sargeant-General of the  Army of South in the Revolutionary War and was given land by Congress for his service.  He was appointed Sheriff by the Judges of Winton Court 1787-1789.  He lived on his plantation on Richmond Hill.[123]  Elizabeth was a sister of William Scarborough who founded a shipping empire in Savannah.  On 5 Jan. 1804 Elizabeth Gillett bought 50 acres on Boggy Gut from Thomas and Eli Bassett for $459.19¼ (Barnwell Deed Book 3:212).  On 3 Aug. 1814 Elijah Gillett sold 740 acres on Boggy Gut to Stephen Bassett for $740 (Barnwell Deed Book H:215).  A John Bassett witnessed Elijah’s 1818 will.[124]  Elijah also sold a river swamp tract of land to Sarah Overstreet sometime before 29 Nov. 1818.[125]

 

 

ii.            SARAH GILLET (see ¶ 8. below).

 

iii.            LOIS GILLET/JILLET baptized 23 Aug. 1747 in Hanover Twp., Morris Co., NJ,[126] married RICHARD RIGENS 29 July 1767 in the First Presbyterian Church, Morristown.[127]

 

iv.            JANE GILLET baptized 29 July 1750 in Hanover Twp., Morris Co., NJ.[128]

 

8.      SARAH GILLET

 

Sarah Gillet was born 2 Apr. 1742, married WILLIAM THROCKMORTON 26 Dec. 1759 at the First Presbyterian Church of Morristown.  On 14 Dec. 1759 in Hanover Elijah Gillet had given his consent to the marriage (Fig. 8) and on 15 Dec. William Throckmorton and Aaron Gillet had posted a bond of £500 (Fig. 9).[129]

 

For a continuation of this line see Part I, ¶4. of my companion Throckmorton article.

 

Revised 15 May, 2003

                 6 Oct. 2005